Chapter 483

Baek Li-jung muttered.

“N-no…! This… this is impossible!”

“Now it makes sense.”

Jin Ja-gang raised his foot and stomped on Baek Li-jung’s head.

Baek Li-jung rolled his body sideways. He sprang up like bamboo, grabbed one side of his face with his hand, and immediately began fleeing.

Yet even in that moment, he made sure to say one thing.

“You bastard! Using such cowardly methods. As expected of a Demonic Cult member!”

Baek Li-jung’s behavior was petty enough to draw empty laughter, but Jin Ja-gang didn’t laugh.

Jin Ja-gang tried to chase Baek Li-jung but hesitated. Heavenly Vermilion Sword was lodged in his shoulder.

Baek Li-jung had fled, leaving behind even his family’s treasure sword, Heavenly Vermilion Sword.

Shuk!

Jin Ja-gang pulled out Heavenly Vermilion Sword. Blood gushed out.

“Hoo.”

Watching Baek Li-jung flee desperately from him, various emotions crossed.

Where had that spirited and bold appearance from ten years ago gone, leaving only ugly character behind?

The fact that the martial world’s justice had been entrusted, even for a time, to such a cowardly person filled Jin Ja-gang with even more indignation. The pain of Hundred Flowers Valley that hadn’t been settled felt like it was digging into his flesh anew.

Jin Ja-gang looked back at Namgung Rak. Namgung Rak was seriously injured and unable to move freely, fighting against three considerable experts. Countless Righteous Alliance martial artists surrounded him, making it look somewhat dangerous.

However, thanks to Divine Ladle River Sword, Namgung Rak’s internal energy didn’t cease, so he wasn’t being overwhelmingly pushed back. Namgung Rak drove back his opponents briefly with a heavy move and shouted.

“I, Namgung Rak, will not fall to this extent. Go after him!”

Jin Ja-gang immediately turned his head and began pursuing Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung was fleeing up the ridge. He was panicking so much, or perhaps the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit was frightened, that he wasn’t even using proper qinggong as he ran. Jin Ja-gang could follow behind without difficulty.

However, the moment he crossed the ridge.

Jin Ja-gang stopped walking briefly.

Below the ridge, people gathered as black as ants could be seen. The numbers were far greater than before. Earlier they seemed hastily assembled, but this time they were properly arrayed. They were even new arrivals, so they weren’t in a frightened state like the earlier ones.

Jin Ja-gang found Baek Li-jung among them. Baek Li-jung was watching with one side of his face covered.

Though he didn’t reveal it outwardly since many were watching, through resonance he could feel the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit smiling behind the covered face.

Baek Li-jung shouted.

“He has severe internal injuries and his shoulder is penetrated so he can’t use strength! To whoever kills that wicked and vicious one, and to their sect, I will give one thousand gold taels each! No, even just injuring him will earn one hundred gold taels!”

One thousand gold taels! And to the sect as well!

That was a reward of value that even major sects couldn’t ignore. Moreover, just injuring him would earn one hundred taels!

Those gathered began slowly grouping together by sect. It looked like they would attack more organizedly rather than charging randomly like before.

It would become that much more troublesome to deal with.

When hundreds simultaneously harbored killing intent, piercing killing energy filled the ridge of Yuelu Mountian. Massive killing energy was concentrated as if it would sweep Jin Ja-gang away immediately. Killing energy far too difficult for an individual to handle.

Shaaaa. Even the blowing wind cut flesh like a blade.

Jin Ja-gang looked down at them indifferently.

The martial artists seemed completely blinded by gold, ready to charge recklessly.

This was the world Baek Li-jung spoke of.

A stark example of a world easily swayed by money power.

Jin Ja-gang, who had been watching them briefly, spoke.

“That money, you won’t get it if Unbreakable Heavenly Sword dies. Does that not matter?”

Huh?

The martial artists wanted to ignore Jin Ja-gang’s words but couldn’t.

Since none other than the one counted as the next Martial Alliance Leader had promised before hundreds, payment was guaranteed once the fight ended.

However, no matter how hard they fought, if Baek Li-jung died, they wouldn’t get the money.

Murmur.

The martial artists’ atmosphere became unsettled. Those conflicted suddenly increased.

Jin Ja-gang’s words were right. Then… rather than earning one thousand taels by killing Jin Ja-gang, it would be better to earn one hundred taels by landing strikes and protecting Baek Li-jung.

If lucky enough to land two strikes, two hundred taels!

Even one hundred gold taels was too much money to spend in a lifetime, so there was no need to risk their lives killing Jin Ja-gang to receive one thousand taels…

As the martial artists’ thoughts changed, their stance subtly shifted.

To receive money, they had to protect Baek Li-jung. To receive even the reward for landing one strike on Jin Ja-gang, Baek Li-jung mustn’t die. The prize money for killing Jin Ja-gang was a matter for after that.

The offense toward Jin Ja-gang gradually turned to defense.

Amazingly, the killing energy subsided. It changed from the thought of killing Jin Ja-gang to the passive attitude of just inflicting wounds while protecting Baek Li-jung.

Baek Li-jung’s face twisted.

Could he change even the momentum to be advantageous to him with just a few words!

Which would be more advantageous for Jin Ja-gang, facing those who charged recklessly slashing or those who slashed passively? Wasn’t it obvious!

Grrrrr.

Baek Li-jung’s Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit swallowed a groan with an extremely uncomfortable feeling. Jin Ja-gang also read Baek Li-jung’s emotions through resonance.

Crack crack.

Jin Ja-gang cracked his finger joints and loosened his neck.

“If you win, you get money. If I win, I take your necks. Are you ready?”

The martial artists grimaced.

Just one meaningless comment, not even wrong, yet they felt like they were at a disadvantage.

Jin Ja-gang drew up maximum internal energy. Blood spurted from his wounds and transformed into toxic fog, blooming mistily like fog.

The Roar of Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit!

Kreoheooong!

The roar of the Calamity Slaying Demon Spirit howling from Jin Ja-gang’s interior shook Mount Alok like thunder.

***

The group mixed with even Mount Hua Sect and Namgung Family disciples fought fierce bloody battles as expected. They encountered tremendous resistance while descending the slope. Fortunately, this side also had large numbers so they weren’t unilaterally overwhelmed.

“Kraaak! Damn it!”

Occasionally absurd screams burst out here and there, which must have been from being attacked by fellow Righteous Alliance members. If they revealed themselves as Righteous Alliance, they wouldn’t be believed and would be slashed at from the side, so they couldn’t reveal it carelessly, and if they fought carelessly, they’d be struck by those blocking the way.

Thus both sides were desperate, and casualties kept occurring on both sides.

The problem was that the number of Righteous Alliance martial artists surrounding Mount Alok was unexpectedly large. It was natural considering that many sects had already been recruited into the Righteous Alliance before the Righteous Law March, but even so, it was hard to understand what they hoped to gain by mobilizing this many people.

“Too many!”

Mount Hua Sect had to survive to uncover the truth about Northern Li Sword Immortal’s disappearance. But those blocking the way were endless.

This side’s numbers kept decreasing while the opponents kept receiving reinforcements.

An elderly expert who had personally come to Mount Alok sighed.

“Though Poison Dragon opened the path with difficulty, Unbreakable Heavenly Sword’s forces were one step ahead! I never imagined the encirclement would be this thick.”

Other martial artists also shouted while fighting desperately.

“Don’t say discouraging things! If you want to live, you must fight!”

Yeong-gwi and Son-bi, who were opening the path at the very front, were also covered in blood from minor wounds. They were even exhausted.

Son-bi stabbed and killed the neck of a Righteous Alliance martial artist who charged at Yeong-gwi from the side with his sword. Yeong-gwi struck away blades flying at Son-bi without even time to say thanks. Yeong-gwi and Son-bi’s gazes met very briefly. That too was momentary, the two had to fight again to survive.

The Young martial artists who followed Jin Ja-gang from Sichuan shuddered.

“Just how many did they call!”

The time from when Northern Li Sword Immortal and the Sword King’s duel was announced until it was arranged was too long. They had the leisure to mobilize not only nearby but also sects from somewhat distant regions. Even so, this number was too excessive.

Then there was a commotion from the side.

“What, what!”

The Righteous Alliance members blocking the group were being pushed by something and their formation was collapsing.

Pang! Pypang!

Sounds of palm force exploding rang out and Righteous Alliance martial artists struck by palms were thrown all the way to the river, falling splash splash.

An old man with a sturdy build and benevolent face scattered palm force everywhere, driving away Righteous Alliance martial artists.

The old man laughed heartily.

“Friends! This is Gam Chung from Shandong. Aren’t you glad?”

The Mount Hua Sect disciples’ faces twisted.

“Gam Chung? The Man Demon Gam Chung of Shandong Evil Sect?”

Hwirirri!

A thin silk cloth swept through the air, wrapping around the necks of Righteous Alliance martial artists and throwing them away.

A beautiful middle-aged woman with one arm appeared, fluttering a thin silk cloth called blood silk.

“Shandong Enchantress!”

“It’s Wishful Fairy Maiden!”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, the grand matriarch of Shandong Evil Sect, had led numerous evil sect members to open a path from the opposite side.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong shouted at the bewildered orthodox side people.

“I am Dan Ryeong-gyeong! I happened to be passing by and saw friends’ difficulties, so I stepped in. Those who still have the energy to distinguish between orthodox and evil aren’t needed, so get lost. Otherwise, follow my friends down the mountain!”

From an orthodox person’s standpoint, receiving help from evil sect people was troubling. Just having the evil sect label made them seem like villains who might commit any act. They were suspicious it might go wrong if they followed carelessly.

Gam Chung laughed heartily again.

“Even rolling in a dung field, this life is good. If it were me, I’d survive first. If you don’t like it, become dog food.”

Yeong-gwi, who knew the relationship between Dan Ryeong-gyeong and Jin Ja-gang, looked back and shouted.

“Shandong is Poison Dragon’s friend!”

Yeong-gwi gave Son-bi a look. Son-bi led people toward the path Dan Ryeong-gyeong opened. The rest had no choice but to move together as well.

Dan Ryeong-gyeong didn’t go with them but stood at the rear. Shandong Evil Sect martial artists were guarding the rear while slowly retreating.

Yeong-gwi asked Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

“I heard you were going to Sichuan. How did you come to stop here?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong answered.

“While going to Sichuan, I saw unusual movements. Righteous Alliance-affiliated sects were sending large numbers of people. I observed the situation just in case and intervened.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong looked at the distant horizon and said.

“I’m worried about Poison Dragon.”

“Is it a number large enough for the Lady to worry about?”

No matter if it was a net spread to catch Northern Li Sword Immortal and the Sword King, the current number was too many.

Everyone thought it strange even while fleeing. There’s a proper degree and common-sense level of response to anything. But mobilizing excessive personnel beyond common sense was like pursuing a martial world public enemy who committed thousands of evil deeds and earned the indignation of the entire martial world.

“Unbreakable Heavenly Sword is that kind of person.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong said with emotions of anger revealed.

“For his own desires, he doesn’t care about others’ sacrifices. Whether hundreds or thousands, to achieve his goal, consuming them all doesn’t matter. If he can succeed, he would rise even by using the entire martial world as sacrifice.”

Strength entered Dan Ryeong-gyeong’s eyes.

“He framed his wife’s family, the Dan Clan, as traitors of the martial world and had them exterminated. To get his hands on the martial arts manuals and the Dan Clan’s wealth! Would such a person cherish others’ deaths? Not a chance. Poison Dragon is probably surrounded by tremendous numbers right now.”

“They’re just moths to a flame. Numbers can’t stop Poison Dragon Hero now.”

“I know. That Poison Dragon’s poison arts reached the supreme realm and numbers can’t handle him. However, if he kills that many orthodox people, he’ll have to handle the aftermath, so wouldn’t there be difficulty in acting?”

Yeong-gwi shook his head.

“I understand what the Lady is concerned about. Then you don’t need to worry about Poison Dragon Hero.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong looked back at Yeong-gwi as if asking what he meant. Yeong-gwi answered with a confident expression.

“He’s not the type to hesitate in acting while considering even the circumstances of moths.”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong, who had been quietly watching Yeong-gwi, formed a small smile on her lips.

“I see. Right. Poison Dragon was that kind of person.”